Out of action Egypt slip in FIFA world rankings

Egypt has dropped 25 places to 61 in FIFA’s monthly global football rankings, released on 15 February. The Pharaohs have not played a competitive match in more than eight months since their surprising failure to qualify for the 2012 African Cup of Nations (CAN), which was won by Zambia on Sunday. The winner of three-successive titles has slipped down on the global ranking after once being in the global top ten. Under new American coach Bob Bradley, Egypt hasn’t played since a 2-0 defeat to Brazil in November. The former US coach is tasked with leading Egypt to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, following the retirement of coach Hassan Shehata. Egypt, which used to be the leading team in Africa, has dropped out Africa's top ten to eleventh. The successful teams at the 2012 African Cup of Nations have overtaken them.    Zambia has shot up 28 places in the FIFA rankings, breaking into the top 50 for the first time in eleven years after beating Ivory Coast on penalties following a goalless final in Libreville. World and European champions Spain stayed top of FIFA’s rankings while Germany switched places with former world number two the Netherlands.